Running in Central Park

I'm visiting a friend in NYC next weekend, and I'm hoping to run through Central Park on Saturday morning. He lives on Broadway and 14th street, so it's about a 3 mile run to CP. My plan is to run North on 5th Ave until I get to 59th St. Then do the 6 mile loop around CP. I'll then either cab home, or run another 3 miles South on Park Ave.

Got some questions:

-I assume there are water fountains in the park, right?

-Are there better (more scenic or interesting) North/South streets I should take over 5th Ave and Park?

-Lastly (and most importantly) tell me everything I should know about running Central Park. I know there are a few different loops, I was just planning on doing the big loop around the whole thing. But is there something specific I should see? Something I should avoid?

Fyi there is a race Saturday morning...a 10k....you might want to follow the race course, there are tons of water fountains....just go in a enjoy ..... does not matter which way you run the loop...the earlier...the less crowded the Park will be. Look at the flowers..the Reservoir..Cleopatras needle...take a detour around the Harlem Meer...look at the statue of Fred Lebow at 90th Street, ..the Marathon finish...Cat Hill...all the statues....The Carousel...Wollman Rink...the Boathouse, Bow Bridge...

To be honest, that isn't a great plan... running up 5th avenue, especially on a weekend, (unless you are going SUPER early in the morning) is generally a terrible idea. I would recommend running either up along the hudson river (get to it via 16th st - 14th st has lots of pedestrian traffic) and then cutting into the park at 59th st or 72nd st, or running east to 1st ave, running uptown in the 1st avenue bike lane, and then cutting back west to get into the park. 5th ave = nightmare because of tourists. if you want to do either of these options, let me know and i can give you more precise details. the run might be longer, unless you are cool with subway (or cab) back from the park. (given where you will be, you have lots of subway options)

To be honest, that isn't a great plan... running up 5th avenue, especially on a weekend, (unless you are going SUPER early in the morning) is generally a terrible idea. I would recommend running either up along the hudson river (get to it via 16th st - 14th st has lots of pedestrian traffic) and then cutting into the park at 59th st or 72nd st, or running east to 1st ave, running uptown in the 1st avenue bike lane, and then cutting back west to get into the park. 5th ave = nightmare because of tourists. if you want to do either of these options, let me know and i can give you more precise details. the run might be longer, unless you are cool with subway (or cab) back from the park. (given where you will be, you have lots of subway options)

Thank you for your candor. I'm fairly open in terms of the route. I don't mind taking a cab or a train. Would the cab ride cost more than $10-15?

I'm just hoping to run 8-12 miles. Maybe I could do all that in Central Park? If I were to do that, are there specific loops you'd recommend?

Idk about cab costs because I don't often take them, but I think there are calculators online somewhere... But from Bway/14th, take the N or R (yellow) to 59th st/5th ave. This will put you at the southeast corner of the park. You could get in a full loop of the park (10k) and also some mileage around the reservoir or bridle path if you want to get to 8-12mi ( http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5923352 ) - subway there and back (total $5, about a 15min? subway ride). Or, what I would do just to get able to see more different running areas of the city ( http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5923357 ) and just subway back.

+1 to RLK's advice, subway up, do the big loop (6 miles) and add a loop of the rez (1.7 if memory serves) and then maybe run accross 72nd westbound to the Hudson and run down the path to 14th and grab the bus back to Broadway from the river. You will have gotten the best of Manhattan running in one fell swoop.

To be honest, that isn't a great plan... running up 5th avenue, especially on a weekend, (unless you are going SUPER early in the morning) is generally a terrible idea. I would recommend running either up along the hudson river (get to it via 16th st - 14th st has lots of pedestrian traffic) and then cutting into the park at 59th st or 72nd st, or running east to 1st ave, running uptown in the 1st avenue bike lane, and then cutting back west to get into the park. 5th ave = nightmare because of tourists..

I was about to say something similar. Do 5th Ave only if you want to see all the hustle and bustle of the city, and be prepared to walk north of 40th St (you will be forced to, wont have room to run).

If you want a scenic route (with Husdon river views) do the Husdon River Pathway (there is a pedestrian path, and a bike path adjacent to it), you will really enjoy it. If you just want to take the shortest route to CP then do the 1st, 2nd, or even Park Ave.

1st and 2nd Ave have bike lanes (personally I do 1st Ave if I just want to run, you run by UN and all). Park Ave is rather nice, has wider side walks, you should be able to navigate without a lot of trouble. You get to the enjoy the cityscape (and Grand Central).

Central Park: If you are doing the outer loop (6 miles) water fountains can be easy to miss (IMHO), especially if you are not looking out for them.

more people go counter clockwise but plenty go clockwise, the race on Saturday (starts at 9:30) goes counter so if running between 9:30 and 10:30... go with the flow, otherwise don't worry. The running lane and bike lane are marked pretty well, though some cyclists seem clueless so just be aware.

I'm not from New York, but every time I stay there I usually run on 5th to central park and find it reasonably quiet @8 am on a weekend. Going back a couple of hours later is more busy but not terrible, although that's typically coming in from the 40's. Also while there are plenty of fountains they aren't always obvious so keep your eyes open. Worst case scenario the easiest one to find is at the entrance to the reservoir, others are typically 10 ft inside the park from the road you'll be running on.

I ended up running north on 5th ave. I started at 6:45am and there were very few people out. I got to the south east corner of CP and ran up the east drive to Harlem Meer. I headed down the west drive until I got to the reservoir (wow, just stunning views). I then headed down the west drive until I got back down to 59th.

I was so happy out there, what a great scene. I am envious of those who have access to CP on a regular basis. You guys really have something special there.

This morning I ran 7 miles south along the Hudson River starting at 14th st. It was too cloudy to see the statue of liberty, but I still enjoyed the path.

I really love NY. It's such a neat city with so many eclectic people and charming neighborhoods. Chicago only has a small portion of it, but I like all the activity, the "hustle and bustle". It's also an extremely dog friendly city. I think Miles (my dog) and I would be really happy living here.

I can understand why those who live here are so enthusiastic about it.

^^I've done all 4 bridges in one run twice. its pretty fun & I recc. it....start at queensboro (59)...then run down by FDR/1st ave....then all three bridges of manhattan, brooklyn, & williamsburg. I think williamsburg was a fun bridge to run on.

I've did 5 bridges for a long run too.......after the 3 bridges, i went across west side highway all the up to GW bridge

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